STORNOWAY

History

The Alder family is not as invested in maintaining a pure bloodline. *Fergus* himself had four wives in his time as king of **[[Dreich]]**, as well as multiple illegitimate children. Through various divorces, sieges, and adoptions, it is unclear if the last person to sit on the throne is even a direct descendant of *Fergus.* It is puzzling why there was such an uproar from the city when the wife of the last king, *[[Kathrine Alder]]*, took the throne twenty-nine years ago upon his death. *Kathrine* bore no children with the late king; however, after his death, founded an orphanage. When *Kathrine* took the throne in **[[Ayr]]** in 1300, the [[Ayr#Dwarves|Dwarves]] [[Ayr#Mithral Strike of 1301|unionized and stop mining]] [[Ayr#Exports|mithral]], harshly decreasing the income for the Alder family. Allowing *[[Perth#Beith|Evander Beith]]* to take control of **[[Dreich]]** within only a couple of weeks, hiring an [[Fort Dornoch#Military|orc army and navy]] to create a blockade on [[Ayr]]’s ports and force *Kathrine* to succeed the throne to him. **[[Ayr]]** was built in 1100 as a mining community after the discovery of [[Ayr#Exports|mithral]] deposits in the nearby mountains. A force of 1,500 [[Ayr#Dwarves|dwarves]] were granted citizenship from **[[Oflos]]** to come to mine the [[Ayr#Exports|mithral]] and refine it. In return, the Alder Family provided housing and 40% of the profits made from [[Ayr#Exports|mithral]] sales. Their numbers have risen to almost 4,000 upon the last census in 1325. After the *[[Ayr#Mithral Strike of 1301|Mithral Strike of 1301]]*, A large force of [[Ayr#Elves|elves]] from *Kathrine’s* homeland, **[[Estelthyr]]**, operating the mines for Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Coal and fishing along the **[[Misty Shores]].**

*[[The Fine Print|Fine Print]]*

**[[Voxbridge]]** functions within the jurisdiction of the city of **[[Ayr]]**, **[[Voxbridge]]** itself is structured closer to a *kleptocracy*. *Kleptocracy* is different from plutocracy (rule by the richest) and oligarchy (rule by a small elite). In a *kleptocracy*, corrupt politicians enrich themselves secretly outside the rule of law, through kickbacks, bribes, and special favors, or they simply direct state funds to themselves and their associates. Also, *kleptocrats* often export much of their profits to foreign nations in anticipation of losing power. In **[[Voxbridge]]**, *Lord Kalabhiti* acts as the unelected Jarl, enforcing taxes and running **[[Dreich]]'s** largest black market, believed to be sending earnings back to his home of **Yllenhona** in **[[Eskana]]**.

**[[Dreich]]’s** military formerly was composed of a group of an army and navy comprised of career and volunteer-based citizens. Under the control and command of the *[[Ayr#Alder|Alder Family]]*, the *Royal Guard* protected the nation's southern border, acting at stand-by and keeping

order within city walls.

There is significant cultural diversity across the island of **[[Dreich]]**, reinforced by the fragmented geography and climate of the country. The cultures within **[[Strathclyde]]** and the **[[Stornoway]]** developed in a particularly distinct manner, due to heavy influence from fables of the *Elder Trees*, and the values they hold. Despite this, a national identity emerged in the 11th century. Development of which is represented by shared national symbols and other cultural and historical touchstones.

One of the most visible **[[Dreich]]** legacies is the prevalence of *Celtic* names and surnames among **[[Dreich]]'s** citizens; a *Celtic* name and surname, however, does not necessarily denote **[[Dreich]]** ancestry. This peculiarity, unique among the people of **[[Dreich]]**, came as a result of a colonial edict by *King Rory Alder*, which ordered the systematic distribution of family names and implementation of *Celtic* nomenclature on the population. The names of many locations are also *Celtic* or stem from *Celtic* roots and origins.

There is a substantial *[[Ayr#Elves|Elvish]]* influence on modern **[[Dreich]]** culture. The common use of the *[[Ayr#Elves|Elvish]]* language is an example of the *Estelthyrian* impact on **[[Dreich]]** society. It has contributed to the influence of *Estelthyrian* pop cultural trends. This affinity is seen in **[[Dreich]]'s** consumption of *elven* wine and *Estelthyrian* literature and music. *Estelthyrian* influence on political matters has become even more prevalent when *[[Kathrine Alder]]* married *King [[Finnean Alder]]*.

*Gothic* architecture has left an imprint on **[[Dreich]]** in the way many towns were designed around a central square. There are four gothic churches in **[[Dreich]]** from the first rule of *[[#Alder|Fergus Alder]]*: *[[Ayr#Map Key|the Alder Church]]* in **[[Ayr]]**, *[[Perth#Map Key|The Beith Church]]* in **[[Perth]]**, *[[Voxbridge#Map Key|The temple to the Old Gods]]* in **[[Voxbridge]]**, and *[[Strathclyde#History|a fallen unknown deities abbey]]* in **[[Strathclyde]]**. The city **[[Ayr]]** is also known for being the oldest standing castle in **[[Dreich]]**, rumored to have been built with the help of *[[Giants]]* under *[[Ayr#Alder|Fergus Alder]]* himself.

*Estelthyrian* rule introduced new architectural styles. This led to the construction of [[Ayr#Map Key|government buildings]] and *[[Ayr#Map Key|Elven theaters]]* in **[[Ayr]]**. During the *[[Ayr#History|Estelthyrian]]* period, some semblance of city planning, using the architectural designs and master plans by *Miiphys Ililen*, was done on the portions of the city of **[[Ayr]]**. Part of the *Ililen* plan was the construction of [[Ayr#Map Key|government buildings]] that resembled *Theros* or *Neoclassical* architecture.

Regional variations exist throughout the island, for example, *Rothé* steaks is a standard cuisine in **[[Ayr]]**. During the early modern era, *[[Ayr#Demographics|Elvish]]* cuisine played a role in **[[Dreich]]** cookery due to cultural exchanges brought about by the *[[Ayr#History|"Auld Alliance,"]]* especially during the reign of *Queen Kathrine [[#Alder]]*. *Kathrine*, on her return to **[[Dreich]]**, brought an entourage of *[[Ayr#Demographics|Elvish staff]]* who are considered responsible for revolutionizing **[[Dreich]]’s** cooking and for some of **[[Dreich]]'s** unique food terminology.

GEOGRPAHY

  • The **[[Stornoway]]** region is the coldest part of the country. The low-lying inland area known as the **[[White Waste]]** in the northwest is the aridest. Snowfall in winter is more common in the west than in the east as the **[[Drumalban Mountains]]** rise high enough to force the clouds in the area to dump all of their precipitation on their west face. The highest air temperature recorded was 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in the summer of 1239 at the **[[Ayr]]** docks on the Northwest coast. The lowest was −51.8 °C (−61.2 °F) in mid-winter in 1218 in the **[[White Waste]]** in the northwest.

    - The areas stretching from **[[Fort Dornoch]]** to **[[Pittenween]]** mark the outer edges of the region known as **[[Speyside]]**. The **[[Speyside]]** has rocky beaches along its coast and vast plains in its center. Once a dense marsh, the area and trees were cleared for their lumber.

  • **[[Dreich]]'s** wildlife is typical of the north-west, although several of the larger mammals such as the *[[Giant Beaver]]*, *[[Brown Bear]]*, *[[Dire Wolf]]*, *[[Mammoth]]*, and *[[Walrus]]* were hunted to near extinction in historic times, their numbers remain low throughout the region. There are important populations of *Giant Foxes*

    The countries flora is varied, incorporating both deciduous and coniferous woodland, moorland, and tundra species. However, large-scale commercial tree planting and the management of **[[Strathclyde]]** and **[[Ayr]]** habitat for the grazing of *Rothé* and field sport activities like *[[Deer]]* stalking and driven *grouse* shooting impacts the distribution of indigenous plants and animals. The tallest trees are fabled to be a pair of elder spirits: One an *Alder Tree*, rumored to be deep in the **[[White Waste]]**. The other a Birch tree planted in **[[Thornielee]]**, *[[Thornielee#Saytrs|Satyr]]* say the pair could be 7,000 years old and are probably the oldest living things in **[[Dreich]]**. Although, no one outside the *[[Thornielee#Saytrs|Satyr]]* community has seen either tree since the founding of **[[Dreich]]**. 

    The [[Pittenween#Demographics|aquatic population]] of **[[Dreich]]** remains limited due to the sudden extreme weather patterns across regions. Along the **[[Misty Shores]]**, *[[Urchin Hunters]]*, *[[Mackerel]]*, *[[Valleurs' Fish]]*, and *[[Killer Whale|killer whales]]* can be found. Inland, *[[Trout]]* and *Salmon* populate the rivers.- Local Legends surrounding a claim that a third [[The Elder Trees|Elder Tree]], *[[Yew - Idho|Yew]]*, once rooted in the bend of the *R. Spey*. It was claimed to be chopped down in 938 after a riot resulting from *[[Ayr#Alder|Maol-Moire Alder's]]* attempt to introduce *[[The Elder Trees|Elder Tree]]* church forms in **[[Dreich]]**.